Khaadi Home: Colour your life

Brand presents a new furnishings collection that is a visual treat.

KARACHI: 

Pablo Picasso said that colours follow the change of emotions, but one might beg to differ. Colours and emotions share a symbiotic relationship — just as emotions can dictate our colour preferences, colours can steer our emotional responses. We were pleasantly reminded of the power of colour at the launch of Khaadi Home at Dolmen Mall, Karachi on December 1.

Khaadi Home is signature Khaadi, with a twist. While the “orient” (east) and “occident” (west) are often portrayed to be at loggerheads, Khaadi Home fuses eastern patterns with western designs in a tasteful, thoughtfully created collection.

Khaadi Home offers a range of bedroom and tableware products. Muhammad Imran Khan, the creative director of Khaadi, tells The Express Tribune, “Initially, there was no furniture, no bed linen… Now, we have diversified our product range.”

Although appealing, its furniture collection is not one that everyone will be able to get their hands on. Presently, Khaadi Home has sofas, benches and ottomans for sale in limited quantity. This could work both in favour of and against the store, for while some customers might opt for unique, uncommon products, others may be irked if the item of their choice runs out of stock. Khan feels that it is Khaadi Home’s individuality that sets it apart from other textile designers. “Because the numbers are quite less, they’ll keep changing. So, you can build on your collection,” he explains.

The store comprises of products that showcase a multitude of techniques, such as handloom weaving, block printing, embroidery and screen printing. The collection, according to CEO Khaadi Shamoon Sultan, is “practical, colourful and affordable.” While the products flaunt vibrant colours and quirky designs, some are priced higher as compared to those in other leading textile stores.

Most products at Khaadi Home are worth the price, both in terms of quality and appearance. Cushions range from Rs500 to Rs5,000, and furniture from Rs10,000 to Rs25,000. The notebooks with ethnic designs (Rs600) and bamboo elephants (Rs500) are a great addition to the collection.

While eccentric designs and vivid hues of colours may catch the eye of some, they could just as easily repel others. Although Khaadi Home offers a broad colour palette, its forte is its conspicuous motifs and bold colours. A customer said that she wouldn’t opt for the bed covers since she prefers “plain and not-so-busy bed cover prints.” Khan acknowledges that the collection is not something that everyone can understand. The store caters to a niche market and thus, isn’t in direct competition with other mainstream textile stores.

Khaadi Home is maintaining Khaadi’s legacy of upholding the ancient craft of handloom and creating products that are reminiscent of the rich and diverse flavours of the subcontinent. “Khaadi is synonymous with Pakistan,” says CEO Labels Zahir Rahimtoola. He explains that Khaadi has put Pakistan on the textile map. “Traditionally, khaddar was a strong suit of the Indians but I think Shamoon and his team have given the craft a robust push in Pakistan,” he states.

With products that are both designed and made in Pakistan, Khaadi Home reminds one of the talent that our country has to offer. In the midst of disillusionment and monotony, it is a ray of colourful hope in our living spaces. “We Pakistanis need colour in our life,” remarks a customer. “And it’s not all phool, pata and gobi ke phool!” she adds colloquially.

Khaadi Home has the ability to attract through its dynamic products and the power to compel through its fifteen-year-long brand image. Although the collection is more diverse than the previous ones, it doesn’t score full points in terms of novelty value. But to those who admire Pakistan for its myriad colours, Khaadi Home gives reassurance that the future for Pakistani living spaces is bright.

Here are prices of a few popular products at Khaadi Home in comparison with other leading home textile stores in Pakistan:

Prices in PKRs	Khaadi	Ideas by Gul Ahmed	Nishat Linen	Habitt
Bed sheet set (double)	2,400	3,100	1,290	1,250
Quilt cover (double)	5,000	8,440	4,000 to 5,000	2,000+
Bed cover (double)	5,000	2,500 to 4,000	4,500	4,450
Table runners	1,500 to 2,000	975	450	900+
Placemats (pair)	400	600	400	450 to 500

*Prices stated above are not definitive and may vary according to quality, size and print.

Style Award

The singer looked quite dapper at the event, dressed in all black. PHOTO:FILE

Harry Styles really does seem to have it all. He’s a member of the world’s biggest boy band, is rumoured to be dating Kendall Jenner, and is now Britain’s best styled celebrity! Styles received the Vodafone British Style award at the British Fashion Awards on Monday at the London Coliseum, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The award was presented to the 19-year-old heartthrob by Alexa Chung and model-DJ Jack Guinness. The One Direction band member was dressed for the occasion in a sheer black shirt, skinny jeans and an immaculately tailored blazer, teamed with rocker boots and a skinny scarf.

The award is given to ‘an individual who most embodies the spirit of British fashion and is an international ambassador for London as a leading creative fashion capital’, and Styles couldn’t have looked happier  to be bestowed with the honour!

2013 BRITISH FASHION AWARDS FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Womenswear Designer of the Year — Christopher Kane

Menswear Designer of the Year — Burberry

International Designer of the Year — Miuccia Prada for Prada

Designer Brand of the Year — Burberry

Accessory Designer of the Year — Nicholas Kirkwood

Emerging Womenswear Designer — Simone Rocha

Emerging Menswear Designer — Agi & Sam

New Establishment Designer — JW Anderson

Model of the Year — Edie Campbell

Red Carpet Award — Erdem

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator — Lady Amanda Harlech

British Style Award brought to you by Vodafone (voted by the public) — Harry Styles

Special Recognition Award — Kate Moss

Special Recognition Award — Suzy Menkes

Outstanding Achievement in Fashion — Terry and Tricia Jones, founders of i-D

Victoria too busy for Spice Girls' reunion?

Victoria Beckham performs with The Spice Girls during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, August 12, 2012. PHOTO: REUTERS

LOS ANGELES: Victoria Beckham reportedly wants to put all her force into her fashion label and she may not be a part of a grand reunion to celebrate two decades of her now disbanded group Spice Girls, reports contactmusic.com.

While singer Melanie Brown, popular as Mel B, has already started making plans for the reunion, Victoria is said to be not so kicked about it.

“Victoria sees 2014 as a year to concentrate on her fashion label, not her music. She loved performing at the Olympics and reuniting, but that was a special event,” said a souce.

The group, formed in 1994, comprised Mel B, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell.

“Mel B has been working on project Spice 20 and sees that as a great opportunity to bring them all together,” the source added.

However, this can also be a great opportunity to earn great amount of money for the group.

“Victoria feels she won’t have the time or desire to work on performing live again. Mel is always pushing for Spice projects. Her stint as a judge in Australian and American shows mean her profile is huge. Any Spice comeback would mean millions in the bank,” said a source.

Walker and Rodas were not involved in drag race at the time of the crash

The crash site has been turned into a memorial by grieving fans and friends. PHOTOS: FILE

New details have emerged on the accident that claimed actor Paul Walker’s life. Speculation continues as to the cause of the deadly crash. Police were investigating tip-offs that the actor, 40, and the Porsche’s driver Roger Rodas were in a drag race with another car before their car hit a lamppost, smashed into a tree and burst into flames.

CCTV Footage obtained by TMZ appears to discount this theory as no other cars can be seen before or after their Porsche smashes into a lamppost.

It is believed that the area where the crash occurred is a popular street racing location and police say that speed was “at least a contributing factor” in the smash, but have yet to determine how fast the car was travelling when it hit the lamppost.

A statement issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said they had “received eyewitness statements that the car involved was travelling alone at a high rate of speed.”

“No eyewitness has contacted the (department) to say there was a second vehicle,” the statement added.

A car racing expert who was at the Valencia car show has claimed Walker and pal Rodas took the sports car out because it was stalling.

The Hollywood Reporter said the eye witness, who wants to stay anonymous out of respect to both families, maintains the pair was determined to get to the bottom of the Porsche’s mechanical problems, not go on a joyride.

“As they were backing up the Carrera to put into the garage, it started stalling. I heard someone say, and I think it was Roger (Rodas, who reportedly was behind the wheel), ‘Why is the car stalling? Let’s take it around the block,’” the source said. “Paul said, ‘Let me go with you really quickly.’”

“Roger wasn’t the kind of guy to go max speed on a small street, same thing with Paul. These guys have respect for the car and they wouldn’t do it like that.

“These guys are business owners and Paul was a celebrity. They are responsible people. It was more like, ‘What the hell is wrong with this car?’”

It is also being claimed that the crash may have been caused by mechanical failure, possibly a steering fluid leak.

Sources connected to Always Evolving,  the shop co-owned by Walker and Rodas,  told TMZ they saw evidence of a fluid burst and subsequent fluid trail before the skid marks at the accident scene.

The source said: “There is a noticeable absence of skid marks until just before the point of impact. If Roger had lost control, the skid marks would show swerving, but instead the marks were in a straight line. This cements the theory the driver didn’t have steering control.

Also suspicious was the fire spreading so quickly in the front of the car. Flames would be expected in the rear where the engine is but fire in the front reinforces the theory of a fluid leak of some sort.”

A memorial to the late star of the Fast and Furious franchise has been set up at the crash site, with family members, friends and thousands of fans lining up to pay homage to  Walker on the road where he died. After the family’s private memorial ended, Walker’s co-star Vin Diesel addressed fans at the memorial site. The actor held back tears as he spoke on a police patrol car loudspeaker and told grieving fans: “Thank you for coming down here and showing that angel up in heaven how much you appreciated him.”

The most poignant reaction came from Walker’s Fast and Furious co-star Tyrese Gibson, who visited the site of the accident on Sunday, reported The Daily Mail. Clad in black, Gibson silently approached the site carrying a yellow flower in his hand and was immediately reduced to tears as he got closer to the crash scene.

Later on Sunday, Gibson posted a photograph of a piece of wreckage from the accident in his hand with the caption: “I will keep your energy with me forever #AshesOfAnAngel fast family around the world we live you and we love you.”

Michelle Rodriguez finally broke her silence, posting a message on her social media pages to honor of her tragically departed friend and co-star.

“I’m gonna carry this torch for you brother, with a forced smile on my face and I’m gonna open my heart just cause your telling me to,” the 35-year-old actress wrote

10 years on: An ‘Aadat’ that changed the course of pop music in Pakistan

A decade later, the influence of the surprise hit is undeniable.

KARACHI: 

Has it really been 10 years since Aadat was released? This is the general reaction of the generation that was growing up during the Indus Music (IM) era of Pakistani music. It really is surprising, because apart from being a defining moment in the history of Pakistani pop music, Aadat is still relevant, which is shocking, given that a decade has passed since it first hit the airwaves.

It was December 2003 when two novice musicians named Atif Aslam and Goher Mumtaz released Aadat as the duo Jal, a track which not only became the biggest hit of the decade but also gave us the biggest controversy of modern day Pakistani music.

The Express Tribune spoke to established Pakistani musicians and Atif Aslam himself regarding why this song became such a sensation and about the impact it left on our music industry. Goher Mumtaz, who is now the font man of Jal, refused to give a comment, despite repeated attempts to contact him.

Asad Ahmed, one of the leading guitar players in Pakistan, was perhaps one of the very few people who listened to Aadat before its official release. “I remember Atif and Goher had come to get my feedback on the song through a common acquaintance and they were clueless about music in general and what they had created,” recalls Ahmed.

“We still make fun of our first meeting whenever we interact,” he chuckles, “To be frank, I thought Atif’s voice was great and the song was simple yet catchy, but never knew that it would become such a huge hit. But then, all the game changers of Pakistani pop music have been very simple [compositions]  — be it Dil Dil Pakistan, Dekha Na tha by Alamgir or Aadatfor that matter”

The sheer scale of Aadat’s success was unfathomable, even for Atif Aslam. He had realized that the song was gaining popularity after it first aired, but it did not sink in fully until a friend called him from Karachi to tell an interesting story.

“I was still aloof about what had just started” recalls Atif. “ Then, one evening , a few months after  the release, I got a call from a friend in Karachi  who excitedly told me that he’d gone shopping at a mall where he saw some college kids sitting outside playing a guitar and singing. When he got closer, he realized they were singing Aadat. That was the first time I realized that this song was going to be something very special for the Pakistani youth.”

Faisal Rafi, a music producer who has worked with acts such as Strings, Karavan and Kaavish to name a few, believes that while Aadat didn’t necessarily offer something new, it did open many other doors for Pakistani musicians.

“I think the most important contribution of Aadat to the local music scene was the fact that it was the first Pop/Rock song to go to go to Bollywood, and opened avenues for every other band/artist [across the border]. We already had the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan going there, but not a young Pop act per say,” says Rafi.

Aslam thoroughly agrees with Rafi’s point regarding Aadat and states that it was a song from where it all began, for him.

“Aadat was where it began for me. It changed my life, its success strengthened my faith and lead me to record my first album, which in turn resulted in my going to India to pursue a career in playback; none of which would have been possible without Aadat,” says Aslam.

For guitar virtuoso Faraz Anwar, it was the very simple chord progression, one minor chord and two major chords, that he feels not only made people listen to the song but also pick up a guitar to play it, which he believes was the real reason for its popularity.

“It certainly didn’t offer anything new. The chord progression was generic, and Atif’s style of singing was very much inspired by Ali Azmat. It was this combination that really worked for the audience,” says Anwar.

However, what irks Anwar about the Aadat phenomenon is the fact that the song gave the music industry a formula to follow, and musically Jal wasn’t necessarily a very great example.

“Bands like Jal, who come into the mainstream after a few months of jamming, have always existed. It’s their short-cut to success that gives them so many followers. But at the end of the day there is a fine line between artists and entertainers, and it’s not one that everyone can tread.”

Faizan-ul-haque, former VJ on Indus Music [IM] has an interesting take on Aadat.

“Critically speaking, Aadat was not the best song of its time, but it is one that the young public connected with the most,” says Haque.

“It turned Atif, who was hardly a Shafqat on melodies or an Ali Noor or Ali Azmat in terms of image, into an icon. Today, he is the most hardworking of all Pakistani pop singers and looking back now, Aadat seems to be nothing short of genesis.”

Aslam, on the other hand, realizes his naivety during his Aadat days and considers the experience one that made him more humble about his music.

“We thought we knew everything, but we were wrong. Such is the joy of teenage hubris. I’ve grown up since then, Aadat and Jal were over a decade ago,” Aslam concludes.

While Aslam may have moved on, it is undeniable that Aadat had a long reaching effect, one that is still making waves in the industry today.

Tussle: Federal government goes after State Bank

To defend the rupee, the SBP’s move to throw $3.3 billion in the market before the general elections ate a big chunk of reserves, a move that the economists had called naïve. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

The federal government has publicly debunked the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) due to its failure to respond to the worsening currency crisis, directing its management to immediately take corrective measures.

In a statement that highlights the widening gulf between both pillars, the federal government crossed the delicate line between its authority and the operational independence of the central bank. The ministry of finance’s press note carried directions for the SBP and placed the entire responsibility of dollar-note shortage on it.

“Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has taken a serious note of the shortage at exchange companies and the scheduled banks,” read the handout. “He has issued orders to the State Bank to ensure that adequate supply of notes is made available in the market immediately.”

Under the SBP Act of 1956, the central bank enjoys complete operational independence, although the Ministry of Finance often calls the shots from the Q Block, but never publicly admitted its interference in the SBP affairs.

However, the administrative weaknesses of the SBP management, headed by its governor Yaseen Anwar, allowed the federal government to go public against the central bank for the first time in years.

Former SBP officials and independent analysts have interpreted it as a no-confidence against Anwar. However, Ministry of Finance sources said that the federal government has not yet decided to ask the governor to resign, though the issue came under consideration.

Meanwhile, the SBP did not respond to the question of whether the charges against the SBP were a no-confidence against the governor.

Last week, foreign exchange companies observed a token strike after scheduled banks refused to provide dollars. The situation was fully exploited by the speculators and the dollar’s exchange rate crossed Rs110, shedding value by Rs2 in one go.

With the devaluation of one rupee, an amount of Rs65 billion is added up in the country’s external debt even without any additional borrowing. Since the new government came into power, the rupee has shed its value by over 10% in the open market.

To defend the rupee, the SBP’s move to throw $3.3 billion in the market before the general elections ate a big chunk of reserves, a move that the economists had called naïve. Heavy international debt payments were also fast eating foreign currency reserves.

The Finance Ministry’s handout out stated that ‘the recent pressure on the exchange rate, particularly higher premium between inter-bank and open markets is primarily due to shortage of dollar notes for which timely arrangements of imports could not be made by relevant authorities’.

The International Monetary Fund has long advocated for the operational independence of the SBP and added conditions in the current and previous programmes. But the SBP’s lax management has weakened its case.

The finance ministry said that SBP authorities have that their will be no shortage of dollar notes in the interbank market, henceforth.

On Monday, in the inter-bank market, the dollar was traded at Rs108.5 a dollar while in the open market the rupee gained some value and remained at Rs109.80.

The SBP was approached for seeking reaction on the federal government’s move but no response was given till the filing of the story.

State-run producers keep LPG prices unchanged

The demand for LPG typically soars with the onset of winter as many households and industrial units, which do not receive natural gas from the pipeline network, turn to LPG. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pak Arab Refinery Company (Parco), a state-owned producer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other refined petroleum products, has kept the LPG price unchanged at Rs103,525 per ton, including taxes, for the month of December.

Another state-run LPG producer, Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), which also produces crude oil and gas, has also left its base stock price unchanged at Rs103,500 for the current month.

These announcements have put an end to speculation that state producers are going to increase the LPG price by Rs46,000 to Rs150,000 per ton in line with the rise in Saudi Aramco’s contract price.

Pakistani LPG producers set their prices in line with the Saudi Aramco’s contract price, which rose to $1,175 per ton on December 1. However, this is the third month that Parco and OGDC have left the prices untouched at $840 per ton.

“The maintaining of LPG base stock price for December will help ensure that the product remains within the reach of end users,” said Belal Jabbar, spokesman for the LPG Association of Pakistan – a grouping of Ogra-licensed LPG marketing companies.

The demand for LPG typically soars with the onset of winter as many households and industrial units, which do not receive natural gas from the pipeline network, turn to LPG.

“LPG companies have adequate stocks with them for the winter season and will continue to build their inventory to ensure that the gas is available at affordable prices,” said Jabbar.

Following the announcement from Parco and OGDC, retail prices of LPG are expected to remain stable at Rs130 per kg in Sindh and Balochistan, Rs140 per kg in Punjab and Rs150 per kg in AJK and northern areas.

LPG companies will maintain the prices notified last month without any change. “We urge the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to monitor prices being charged by LPG distributors and take action against those who are found overcharging the consumers,” said Jabbar.